| Finding the Way |
Chapter 24 |
Page 5 |
But too often we grow weary in well doing and slacken our diligence. We are not so conscientious as we were about our daily prayer and Bible reading. We are more easily interrupted or hindered in our devotional habits. We keep a less vigilant watch over our tongues, and sometimes speak words that are not true, or that are unkind and uncharitable. We let the reins slip from our hands, allowing our temper to run wild, hurting gentle lives and bringing shame upon ourselves. We grow remiss in our religious activities, dropping tasks and withdrawing from responsibilities. It is easy thus to allow our lives to run down in their moralities. The only way to prevent this unhappy tendency in any department of life is to watch against the smallest beginnings of neglect or inattention. Our lives must be kept up to tone at every point. The musician has his piano tuned frequently, that its strings may not fall below concert pitch. An artist kept some highly coloured stones in his studio, and said it was to keep his eye up to tone. We need continually to keep before us high ideals, lofty standards, for if our ideals and standards are lowered, our attainments will be lowered too.
One of the effects of mingling with people is that we allow ourselves to be influenced by their example and to become tolerant of imperfection, of failure, of neglect in ourselves. The Christian needs always to keep Christ before his eye, that by His perfect life he may be inspired to do his best. One of the reasons for daily Bible reading is that by its heavenly teachings we may be kept continually in mind of what we ought to be and what we ought to do.
“And often for your comfort you will read the guide and chart;
It has wisdom for the mind and sweet solace for the heart;
It will serve you as a mentor; it will guide you sure and straight
All the time that you will journey, be the ending soon or late.”
Page 5
<< Prior Page 1 2 3 4 5 Next Page >>